Our Beautiful Lake
By: Richard D. Gainar, CEBS – Chairman, Lake Management Committee
How long has it been since you just stopped whatever you were doing to simply look out over our beautiful lake? The winter snow may cause us some problems driving but it sure does paint a wonderful background for one of the most spectacular views along the shoreline of our lake. Whatever problems occupied my mind a few moments before simply disappear when I stare out over the water. I can’t think of another scenic view anywhere that rivals the one in our own backyard.
This time of year allows me to reflect on the past year of the many great memories we each create here in Roaming Shores. Whether it’s jumping from a floating dock at one of the beaches, watching the wonderful fireworks over East Beach or laughing with neighbors while the sun sets behind the trees. I give great Thanks to those committee members whom have donated precious hours to help better our community and lake through the Lake Management Committee. I urge others to consider getting involved with the Lake Management Committee and sharing your skills and talents in the coming year. From your RomeRock Association Lake Management Committee, we wish you a very happy, merry and safe Holiday Season.
Remember to Love the Lake and Be Lake Responsible
In Memoriam: Agnes Sopko
Published in www.News-Herald.com on Dec. 10, 2017
12/5/17 Power Outage
Update: Power has been restored
We are hearing reports of a power outage affecting the north end of the lake. Parts of Roaming Shores (including the RRA office still have power. The cause is an apparent transformer fire in Jefferson.
Notice: Dam Valve
12/15/17 Update:
The valve has been fixed and closed.
Attention:
The valve used for lowering the lake level has failed. While there is no danger to residents, the Village is now considering employing pumps to draw down the lake as quickly as possible in order to inspect the damage and make repairs. If your boat is on the lake, please make every effort to have it removed immediately.
It may take several months to complete repairs to the valve. More will be known once the lake water level has dropped by approximately 10’ and an inspection can be completed.
Tree Trimming Social Hour
Fishing Club News – Nov 2017
In November of 2017, the club purchased $600 worth of fathead minnows. The club paid out $350 for long fish of the month and $100 for big bass of the year.
The winners for 2017 were:
- April: Mike Zook
- May: Bill Fettig
- June: Charles Plant
- July: Lamdim Hall
- Aug: Ruth Plant
- Sept: Frank Mize
- Oct: Mike Chevalier
Big Bass of the year was won by Frank Mize, a 22” long big mouth bass that weighed 6.58lbs.
The Club sponsored the Kids Fishing Day and had a free seminar for kids on how to fish. The Club is saddened by the passing of Ed Baitt who ran the club for many years. Ed did a great job and was a friend to many. We would like to thank all of the people that joined the club. And a special thanks to Members that don’t fish, but supported the Club.
Our next meeting will be Monday, April 9th, 2018 at 7pm at the Clubhouse. Have a great winter!
3rd Notice: Proposed Bylaw Change
The RRA Board of Directors will meet on Thursday, December 7th at 7:30pm in the Clubhouse to discuss the proposed Bylaw Change linked below.
President’s Comments Nov 2017 Board Meeting
By Tom Sopko
The Board voted to have an Interim Treasurer. For our Interim Treasurer, the Board has elected Jack McMillin. Should Jack McMillin be voted onto the Village Council, as he is a candidate, and he chooses to resign from the Association, another Interim Treasurer will be chosen to start in January.
Tonight will be the second consideration of the Sexual Predator Amendment to the Bylaws. There is a slight change in the wording to include “weekenders” who may be tier 3 sex offenders. Before the Board votes on this again tonight, the minor wording change will be reviewed.
The Board approved a 2018 budget. As always, it is a balanced budget. Thanks to the fine work done by our Office staff getting more Members to pay, it appears that we may have up to $90,000 more to spend in 2018. As you may recall, it has been a goal of the Board to reduce the number of Members in arrears.
The Board also addressed Reserves. What are Reserves? Reserves: “an amount adequate to repair and replace major capital items in the normal course of operations without the necessity of special assessments.” We are one of the few HOA’s that has the right to pledge property toward a loan. However, based on the fact that Reserves continues to be brought up, based on the fact that in the future banks or lenders may not take property for collateral, it has been decided to dedicate money to a Reserve Fund, and to do a reserve study. Therefore the Board voted to move $50,000 from the $198,000 we have in savings to a Reserve Fund. In addition, $10,000 from the 2018 budget is targeted to the Reserve Fund. In addition to starting a Reserve Fund, a Reserve study will be done to determine how much should be in the Reserve Fund. As part of approving the new Budget, the Board voted to leave the dues/assessments and any late fees the same.
A new Employee Handbook has been approved by the Board. Copies will be available online or a copy can be picked up at the Office.
Jen Addair, of the Office, has suggested to the Board a new Membership Card hierarchy. Her suggestions have been approved by the Board. It does streamline the card system by eliminating the “Guest System”. Separate from the Card hierarchy, a backup will be allowed. The backup system is that pictures of Membership cards will be allowed to be on phones. This means that if you want a backup to your card or your family’s cards on your phone, you will need to take a picture of your card, and any family or household members and copy it to your phone. This will be your backup. This new system is a one year pilot program for 2018.
Jen Addair has summarized the real estate tax meeting with Roger Corlett and Dennis DiCamillo. The summary is on the RRA website and can be found in the email blasts. One of the most important outcomes is that if you want an informal meeting with the County Auditor concerning your property appraisal, it is recommended that you do it immediately. This will allow you to have an informal meeting as opposed to a formal request for real estate re-evaluation.
The Board has discussed applying up to $50,000 from savings toward paying down the Office Loan. As we announced at the time of the decision to build rather than rent, we would seek to pay down the Office Loan as quickly as possible. We, the Association, have two outstanding loans, the pool & roads loan and the Office loan. We are looking to vote to put the money toward the highest interest rate loan, the Office.
The Lake in the Winter – Part 1
By David Ernes – Lake Management Committee
As Fall moves to Winter, we see more than the change in the color of the leaves. We see changes occurring on the lake – both natural and man-made. The first, which has already occurred, is the lake turnover. This phenomenon, generated as the lake water temperature equalizes top-to-bottom, results in mixing to temporarily eliminate stratification. A previous article was written which goes into more detail on this phenomenon.
The next change that you may see is the lake level lowering. If all is going as planned, the Village will proceed with opening the spillway to allow the lake water level to drop. As past years can attest, the success depends on the amount of rainfall we experience during the fall. Typically done to kill nuisance aquatic plants which we did not observe this year, it also accomplishes several other results. It removes some of the nutrient rich water, to be replaced with either clean snow melt or the spring rains. It also gives the lake ample capacity to accept the potentially heavy spring rains without causing problems due to flooding. If we can believe the long-range forecast for the coming winter, we may experience a warmer but wetter season. So, it may be a battle! If the models are wrong, lake lowering can, to some extent, protect shoreline structures from ice damage.
But also important is that with the water level lower we have an excellent opportunity for those of us with lakefront properties to inspect the shoreline. Erosion is a constant issue that, over time, can degrade the integrity of a dock, rip-rap (rock wall) or seawall. Look for holes or other types of damage in erosion control structures and seek remedies to reinforce them. Reinforcement of shoreline barriers, confirming clear drainage channels, and checking dock supports and surrounding areas safeguards your property as well as the other residents of Lake Roaming Rock.
With the water level low, it also gives the opportunity to do some self-dredging around your dock and seawall. However, make sure that you or your properly registered contractor has obtained the proper permits from the RRA before proceeding.
The next installment will go over what happens as the water continues to cool and ice forms.
BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE
In Memoriam: Ed Baitt
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Ed Baitt. Ed and his wife Carol have been property owners since 1967. Ed was extremely involved in the community serving on the RRA Board for many years and many more with the Fishing Club. He was instrumental in getting the dredging program up and running as well as getting the maintenance garage and new RRA office off of the ground. The employees are thankful to Ed for always being someone who you could talk to if you had a problem and for helping them get health insurance. We will forever miss that twinkle in his eyes.
Obituary
Services for Edward C. Baitt, 82, of Roaming Shores, OH, will be Saturday, November 11, 2017, at 11:00 AM at Servants of Mary 6601 Ireland Rd. Windsor, OH, 44099. Friends and Family will be received from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Saturday before the service.
Ed was born on October 18, 1935, in Euclid, OH, and passed away on November 8, 2017, at home surrounded by his family. Ed was a graduate of St. Joseph High School and retired from City of Euclid. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus St. Mary Council #5589, President of Rome Rock Association, Member and President of the Fishing Club. He enjoyed spending time with his family, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events, playing the button box, and fishing.
He was a former custodian, Athletic Director and coach at St. Christine’s in Euclid. He was coach of Richmond Heights Football Team, and coach of many many youth basketball, football, and baseball teams. He was a High School Football official.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother who is survived by: loving wife of 61 years Carol aka Bert (Dobray) Baitt; sons Edward (Barb), James (Lisa), Michael (Lisa); sister Joann Smith; Grandchildren: Eddie (Emily), Nicole, Joey, Laura (Brandon), Brittany, Joshua, Julia, Michael.
Preceded in death by: daughter Theresa; parents Edward and Mary (Skerl) Baitt; sisters Marie Chesnic, Majorie Deason; in-laws Michelle Aster, Tom Dobray.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ed’s memory to the family to be donated to some of Ed’s favorite charities.
David C Brickman Funeral Home
29801 Lakeland Boulevard
Wickliffe, OH 44092
440-953-0505